Mount Baker Imaging donation will be used to improve health care in Whatcom Co.

KIE RELYEA - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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BELLINGHAM - A $250,000 donation to Whatcom Community Foundation will be used to fund efforts that improve the delivery of primary health care in Whatcom County.

Mount Baker Imaging - a partnership of Northwest Radiologists and PeaceHealth - donated the money, which was used to establish the MBI Health Innovation Fund.

The donation will meet a pressing need and serve as a "leap forward in philanthropic coordination," said Mauri Ingram, president and chief executive officer of Whatcom Community Foundation.

"These are folks that are working together and have decided they want to coordinate their giving," she said, adding that the fund was a move toward more "strategic giving" made necessary by the ailing economy.

A regional advisory committee will make grant recommendations to Whatcom Community Foundation's board of directors.

In addition to making grants to community organizations, the foundation administers other philanthropic funds established by families, businesses and community groups.

The guidelines for grant applications as well as deadlines are still being determined, although Ingram said she hoped grants would be given before June 30.

Grant guidelines will be posted on the foundation's Web site at www.whatcomcf.org when they've been drawn up. Or call Ingram at 671-6463.